Lisicki loses out to Bartoli
July 6, 2013
The 15th-seeded Bartoli thrashed No. 23 seed Lisicki 6-1, 6-4 in the women's final on Saturday, despite the German's making a comeback and saving three match points.
Lisicki had broken the Frenchwoman's serve in the first game of the match, only for Bartoli to break straight back. Bartoli then took advantage of a series of unforced errors in a relatively nervous performance by the German.
Lisicki’s normally powerful and effective serve failed to have the desired result. Instead it was Bartoli who produced the decisive hits, winning the match after just 81 minutes.
The first set took only 31 minutes for Bartoli to win and the second appeared to be something of a walkover, with the German struggling to hold back tears. Lisicki, however, found her form and appeared to be making apparent comeback - breaking Bartoli and holding her own serve well. However, Bartoli regrouped and eventually sealed the match with a sixth ace.
Dream fulfilled
"As a small girl I dreamed about this moment," said Bartoli after lifting the Venus Rosewater dish.
"Finishing with an ace to win Wimbledon; even in my wildest dreams I couldn't have imagined that. Honestly, I cannot believe it. I have practiced my serve for so long, at least I kept it for best moment."
Lisicki said the final was "something completely new for me" and despite her not emerging winner of the tournament she hoped to learn from it.
"I was a bit sad that I couldn't perform the way I can," Lisicki added. "It's still been a great tournament. It's been an amazing two weeks."
Bartoli, who will climb to seventh in the world rankings when the new listings are released on Monday, has not dropped a single set in her seven matches at the tournament. She is the first Frenchwoman to win a Grand Slam singles title since Amelie Mauresmo at Wimbledon in 2006.
rc/ipj (AFP, Reuters)